Floating lines, dry flies, who is in?

Grande Ronde...come fish.

After some initial concern about fish numbers coming up the Columbia/Snake basin, things have picked up and seem to be doing fine. October is a wonderful month to fish this area. In fact, there is no where I would rather be. I like to fish day trips walk and wade or floating the are from the Oregon state line down to Boggan's Oasis, and sometimes further down. Many people like the lower river near the mouth...many many people. I like a little bit more space.


Options for the fall will be the Grande Ronde and the lower Snake River. We can likely do both if you are in to that sort of thing. I will start this in early October and fish as late into the fall as people are interested in coming. The weather gets colder but the fishing continues to be great.

The last option I would love to do is a multi-day float. This will be a no-frills operation. I will provide all the food and drink (except alcohol), you bring your sleeping bag and tent, etc. We won't have a camp cook and someone to set your tent up but I am pretty sure it will be more affordable!

Previous years photos below to wet your appetite. Please contact me soon if you are interested in joining.

News

Swing the Fly magazine will launch in just a couple days, July 1. Myself and my partners are very excited. Please be sure to take a look at www.swingthefly.com

Preparations are underway for the fall season on the Grande Ronde. I have open dates through the months of October and November. Multi-Day overnight floats and day trips are both available. Contact me for details on one of the sweetest summer steelhead rivers around.

Typical Grande Ronde fish from a couple seasons ago.

I am selling some flies assortments to help provide a little cash in the off season. 1 dozen custom summer steelhead flies tied by myself that are my favorites on the Grande Ronde and Clearwater Rivers. Also great for a Deschutes trip or pretty much anywhere else during low water periods. Price is $44.99 including a fly box. Contact me directly if you would like to purchase some. Additionally, I will take any fly requests, whether it be OP winter steelhead flies or even if you are in need of flies for a BC trip.

The Good Stuff

Thanks for the support, hope to see you this fall!

Swing the Fly

I am very excited to finally be able to announce Swing the Fly Magazine. This has been several years in the making and now with my new partners at Dry Fly Media, has become a reality. Hope you all enjoy and see you on the water!

In other news, I am relocating yet again. This time to Pullman, WA putting me very close to the Clearwater and the Grande Ronde. I will be guiding on the Grande Ronde this fall and we will see about licensing for the CW. And yes, OP still in the winter.

Mike found a summer run in late March. 

As most of you know, I currently am employed with the Gig Harbor fly shop, working and guiding between here and there. Rivers are blown today and rather than type the same thing in two spots, here's my rambling.

Fishing was good last week. Rivers are out right now and it may be a few days I'm sad to say. When they come back it should be decent. I have some openings for the next couple weeks for anyone interested. 616-540-3836

Back in the USA. Still a week from the OP and steelhead. Can't wait! Ill be getting my new raft together next week and then on the water myself for a few days getting caught up on things. Available guide dates start February 12. Until then...I will share some pictures from the far south.

Big brown on the first evening.

Kelly with a big rainbow, sight fishing little dry flies.

Sea run beauty.

Sunset in paradise.

Chasing sea runs at the end of the world.

B

Happy Holidays and updates

Well, departure time has come for Argentina. I will be out of the country until January 27. And back in Washington on February 5th. I have some guide dates open from Feb. 13th through April 10th. Things are filling in nicely, but there are still openings I would love to fill. Rates for this season listed below, multi day rates are for subsequent days, saves us both some $ and gives us our best shot at a winter steelhead on the swing.

1 person: 1 day $350, 2 days $625, 3 days $825 

2 person: 1 day $425, 2 days $750, 3 days $1,000

If you would like to get something on the calendar while I am out of the country there are a couple options.

Email me with any inquiries/questions at zack@pnwspey.com and I will get back to you within a week.

or

Call the Gig Harbor Fly Shop at 253-851-3474, they have my updated schedule on hand and can take a $100 deposit to lock a day down with me.

Thanks everyone! Happy Holidays and looking forward to a great winter/spring on the OP!

Rest in peace blue whale, I will have a new raft come February.